Francisco Javier Cruz

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Francisco Javier Cruz (born May 24, 1966 in San Luis, Mexico) was a Mexican football player who played for Rayados de Monterrey and UANL Tigres, becoming one of the few players to be successful in both professional teams from Monterrey. He is nicknamed "El Abuelo", which means "The Grandfather".

He also played for a short time in Spain, for CD Logroñés

He scored many goals for both Rayados and Tigres, even in the Clásico Regiomontano, where he became an idol of the city. Because of this, he is loved by fans of both teams, a rarity in the competing atmosphere of Monterrey.

1 Rayados
2 Tigres
3 National Squad
4 Retirement

[edit] Rayados

He was instrumental in the conquest of the first championship for Rayados. Topscorer for that Mexico 86 tournament (tied with Sergio Lira from Tampico with 14 goals). He also served the assist to Sergio "Alvin" Perez's goal that kept the team from being relegated in May 1999.

[edit] Tigres

He played with Tigres for a while, where he scored many goals. He was instrumental in returning the team to the First Division after its privatization.

[edit] National Squad

"El Abuelo" Cruz also played many games with the Mexican National Squad, including the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal against West Germany in the Estadio Universitario of Monterrey. In that game, "El Abuelo" played in front of a public that loved him and cheered for him in his home town. On extra times, he scored a goal that the referee annulled due to an offside ruling involving another player. The game ended on penalty kicks with Mexico eliminated.

He missed the 1994 FIFA World Cup due to an injury which he suffered by scoring the goal that qualified Mexico into the competition.

[edit] Retirement

He retired as a player on May 9, 1999.

As of April 16, 2006, he was living in Madrid, Spain, where he is involved with the Real Madrid reserves. According to an interview, he aspires to coach a team in the Primera División A.

v • d • e Mexico squad - 1986 FIFA World Cup

1 Larios • 2 Trejo • 3 Quirarte • 4 Manzo • 5 Francisco Cruz • 6 de los Cobos • 7 España • 8 Domínguez • 9 Sánchez • 10 Boy • 11 Hermosillo • 12 Rodríguez • 13 Aguirre • 14 Felix Cruz • 15 Flores • 16 Muñoz • 17 Servín • 18 Amador • 19 Hernández • 20 Heredia • 21 Ortega • 22 Negrete • Coach: Milutinović